Sadly for the little kiddles, Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year. That means all the little ghosts and goblins will have to cut their trick-or-treating short because of homework, baths, and bedtimes. Darn school nights!

Tell the tots not to fret. There’s a bumper crop of fun happening this weekend that’s way more fun than that bucket of Laffy Taffy and Milk Duds.

Here’s a fun size sampling of what you can find in our neck of the woods.

photo: shutterstock.com

Go on a hunt for the things that go bump in the night with a Creatures of the Night Hike at Bob Jones Nature Center in Southlake. The guided hike begins with hands-on activity stations that introduce you the native animals of the night. Then you’ll hit the trail for a night hike as the sun sets, collecting prizes as you go. Afterward, you can make crafts to bring home with you. Be sure to wear footwear and clothing that’s appropriate for hiking. Also, bring a bag or bucket to collect your prizes on the hike. Flashlights are provided and costumes are encouraged!

photo: Frontiers of Flight Museum

You don’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to see your favorite ‘Star Wars’ characters this Halloween. Just head to the Frontiers of Flight Museum this Saturday for their annual Star Wars Day & Halloween Sci-Fi Extravaganza. Kids can meet members of the world-renowned Star Wars Imperial costuming organization, 501st LEGION and  the Rebel Legion “good guys.” The Mandalorian Mercs “bounty hunters” and the R2-D2 and BB-8 Astromech droids will also be there. Besides trick or treating with Stormtroopers, kids can participate in the Red Carpet costume contest, explore the Star Wars Universe in the SPOC planetarium, and join your favorite characters for the Jabba the Pizza Hut lunch.

Photo: Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival

For an out of this world experience don’t miss Denton’s annual Day of the Dead Festival this Saturday. The quirky, community get-together is described by the organizers as “little harvest fest, a little Dia de los Muertos, a little Halloween, and a lot of Denton magic.” There will be games and food vendors plus a variety of entertainment on hand including music, dancing, a costume contest,  a twilight lantern parade, and coffin races which are sure to please monsters of all ages. For even more spooky fun, mosey on over to Dan’s Silver Leaf for Cirque du Horror. This Halloween show is a collection of bone-chilling poems, spine-tingling short stories, and spooky songs. It’s a  little song, a little dance, part musical theater, part cabaret and fun for all ages.

photo: shutterstock.com

It wouldn’t be Halloween with a ghost story or two. Lucky for you, the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake is hosting Spooky Tales on Saturday afternoon. Elementary-aged kids can gather around as storytellers from the Dallas Storytellers Guild tell tales guaranteed to send a shiver up your spine. Tickets are free but children must be accompanied by adults.

Photo: SPARK!

Stop by SPARK! for interactive fun at their Dia de Los Muertos Halloween event.  The weekend activities are inspired by the Disney film “Coco” and include sugar skull painting, skeleton bowling, face painting, and a haunted casa. If that’s not enough, kids will also have the opportunity to explore SPARK’s creative play space which includes a climb, crawl, and slide sculpture that spans over 6,000 feet and climbs 26 feet towards the ceiling. The event is open to children in 2nd grade through high school and chaperones are required. Costumes are discouraged for safety reasons.

For a complete list of all the seasonal happenings in our neck of the woods check out our Halloween/Fall Festival theme. And, for help finding the perfect pumpkin patch take a look HERE.